Albert Ayler - BELLS / PROPHECY: EXPANDED EDITION - CD

Personnel: Albert Ayler (tenor saxophone); Sunny Murray (percussion).Liner Note Author: Dan Morgenstern.Recording information: Cellar Caf?, New York City (05/01/1965); Town Hall, New York City (05/01/1965); Cellar Caf?, New York City (06/14/1964); Town Hall, New York City (06/14/1964).This 2005 ESP-Disk reissue brings together tenor saxophonist Albert Ayler's first two recordings for the ESP label on one CD, in chronological, but reverse, release order. Prophecy was Ayler's first session with the label, and he was accompanied by bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Sunny Murray. It was recorded in June of 1964 live at the Cellar Caf?. This is the early period of Ayler exploring his march-time rhythms and gospel melodies that became the frameworks for his particularly iconoclastic vanguard explorations into free improvisation. There are two versions of "Ghosts" here, as well as two of "Spirits" and the title track, tunes that would bear his signature in performance and on other recordings.